Ressence TYPE 3 Marc Newson Wins the Red Dot: Best of the Best 2026 Award

The collaborative masterpiece by Ressence and Marc Newson earns the highest honour in product design, reaffirming the brand's innovative approach to contemporary watchmaking.

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Photo Courtesy: Ressence

A Landmark Achievement in Contemporary Watch Design

Ressence has been awarded the prestigious Red Dot: Best of the Best 2026 in the Watches category for the TYPE 3 Marc Newson, one of the highest distinctions presented by the internationally recognised Red Dot Award: Product Design.

The accolade celebrates the successful collaboration between Ressence founder Benoît Mintiens and acclaimed industrial designer Marc Newson, bringing together innovative engineering and visionary design to create a timepiece that challenges traditional watchmaking while remaining highly functional.

A Collaboration That Created Something Greater

According to Ressence, the TYPE 3 Marc Newson demonstrates how two distinct creative disciplines can produce a result beyond what either could achieve independently.

The project combines:

• Marc Newson's distinctive industrial design language

• Ressence's patented mechanical innovations

• A shared focus on ergonomics, legibility, and user experience

The result is a watch that stands as both a design object and an advanced mechanical instrument.

Winner of the Highest Red Dot Recognition

The Red Dot: Best of the Best is reserved for products considered exceptional within their category.

Judged alongside products ranging from automobiles and furniture to medical equipment and industrial machinery, the TYPE 3 Marc Newson emerged as the top design in the Watches category, highlighting its significance beyond traditional watchmaking.

This marks:

• Third participation by Ressence in the Red Dot Awards

• Third consecutive Red Dot recognition

• Second "Best of the Best" honour following the TYPE 3 BB2 in 2024

The TYPE 3 Marc Newson

The TYPE 3 Marc Newson represents Ressence's distinctive interpretation of mechanical time display.

Key highlights include:

• Oil-filled upper chamber that visually eliminates dial distortion

• Domed sapphire crystal creating the illusion that indications float on the surface

• Patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS 3.6)

• Rotating discs displaying:

  • Hours

  • Minutes

  • Seconds

  • Day

  • Date

  • Oil temperature

• Crownless ergonomic case with an elliptical profile

• Exceptional readability from virtually every viewing angle

The design prioritises intuitive interaction while preserving the complexity of traditional mechanical watchmaking.

Design Meets Mechanical Innovation

Rather than relying solely on aesthetics, the TYPE 3 Marc Newson integrates engineering directly into its design philosophy.

The patented ROCS system replaces conventional hands with continuously rotating discs, while the oil-filled display enhances clarity by eliminating internal reflections beneath the sapphire crystal.

Combined with the sculpted case and ergonomic architecture, the watch offers a distinctly modern interpretation of how mechanical time can be displayed.

Ressence's Design Philosophy

Since its founding in 2010, Ressence has approached watchmaking from a product design perspective rather than purely traditional horology.

Its guiding philosophy, known as "Simplication," focuses on:

• Functional innovation

• Minimalist design

• Human-centred usability

• Mechanical ingenuity

• Enhanced readability

The TYPE 3 Marc Newson embodies these principles while demonstrating how contemporary industrial design can coexist with fine Swiss mechanical watchmaking.

Why This Award Matters

Winning the Red Dot: Best of the Best reinforces Ressence's position among the industry's most design-driven independent watchmakers.

Rather than celebrating heritage alone, the award recognises innovation, usability, and product excellence qualities that have become central to Ressence's identity.

The TYPE 3 Marc Newson illustrates how mechanical watchmaking continues to evolve through thoughtful design, advanced engineering, and meaningful collaboration.

Availability

The Ressence TYPE 3 Marc Newson is available through the official website.
For further information, visit: https://ressencewatches.com/